‘Wildlife Oscars’ celebrate work to save beavers, butterflies and trees
Awards hail the people and projects dedicated to protecting our natural world,
THEY are projects which protect some of Scotland’s most fragile ecosystems, parts of the intricate web of nature that are often overlooked.
But now the guardians of butterflies, trees, beavers and deep-sea habitats have been recognised among others at the country’s most prestigious nature awards.
A community-led scheme to save an endangered butterfly, a project studying coral reefs and a man who has dedicated years of his life to protecting one particular type of tree have all been named winners at the annual Nature of Scotland Awards, held last night in Edinburgh and sponsored by RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
The awards celebrate people and projects from across the country who work to conserve nature in all its forms, and help look after the country’s unique and special places.
Nine prizes were presented during the event at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, which was hosted by wildlife cameraman and TV presenter Gordon Buchanan, and BBC Scotland radio and TV presenter Euan Mcilwraith.
Coastal communities in Angus which have enthusiastically worked together since 2012 to understand and halt the sharp decline of the iconic small blue butterfly were among the groups to receive an award.
This project, which won the Community Initiative accolade, has been striving to bring the species back from the brink by studying populations in one of the few hotspots left. The butterfly’s life cycle depends on the kidney vetch plant, which shelters its larvae and also provides its food source –but it only grows in select areas along the coast.
Catherine Lloyd, co-ordinator at the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, which manages the scheme, said: “People of all ages have played their part in this biodiversity project – an indication that people feel connected with the natural environment around them and want to take responsibility for its protection.”
Another who received an award was Stewart Taylor, who has championed a whole host of overlooked species, from the tiny green shield moss and tooth fungi to scarce and threatened lichens and invertebrates.
He has dedicated his life to working and volunteering to conserve wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park, and in recent years his focus has been on the aspen tree, making a huge contribution to its conservation and raising its profile.
Mr Taylor, who received the RSPB Species Champion Award, said: “I am absolutely delighted. It is a real honour and really nice to be recognised for my work on aspen.
“It’s a beautiful tree that supports many overlooked species. I am proud to be part of the aspen group contributing aspen conservation in the Cairngorms. I hope this award will help shine a spotlight on aspen.”
The Royal Zoological Society of
Edinburgh was joint winner of the Species Champion for its work reintroducing wild beavers to Scotland.
The Changing Oceans group at the University of Edinburgh studies the importance of Scottish deep-sea habitats, how they will be impacted by climate change, and how collaboration with policymakers, managers and industry is crucial to conserving these ecosystems. This group received the Conservation Science Award.
Project lead Dr. Sebastian Hennige said: “The challenge moving forwards is to ensure engagement between science, policy, industry and the general public, to raise awareness of these important habitats and to enact effective conservation of them.” Other winners included the Comrie Croft Eco Farm, which received the SNH Business Award, Seasearch, which won the Coasts and Waters Award, and Lynbreck Croft, winner of the Food and Farming
Award.
The Innovation Award was won by TVC Natural Talent programme, while Sunnyside primary school received the Youth and Education Award. Roseanna Cunningham MSP was named the Political Advocate of the Year.
Anne Mccall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “It’s been another brilliant year for the Nature of Scotland Awards, with more applications than ever before.”
Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of SNH, added: “A big congratulations to all of the inspiring people who have been recognised for the amazing work they are doing across Scotland.”